Circulation-stimulating machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for stimulating circulation in the upper portion of a human body by the effect of slow rotation on a horizontal axis through upright and inverted positions. A rotatable carrier includes a seat or standing support equipped with a retaining harness, and also includes a preferably pedal-operated drive system. A modified form of the invention includes a ring supported on parallel horizontal rollers. A driving belt surrounds the ring, and holds it against the rollers. The ring has an inside diameter selected to receive an occupant in crouching position.

United States Patent Williams 51 May 16, 1972 [54]CIRCULATION-STIMULATING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Chester 1. Williams, 347Greenbriar,

Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506 221 Filed: Apr. 15, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 28,651

[52] U.S. Cl ..l28/24, 272/33 B [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lh l/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..272/33,34,49,73;128/24, 128/25 [56] References-Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,127,169 3/1964 Guihan ..272/33 R 2,144,206 l/1939Thompson 128/24 R UX Justice ..272/33 R Williams ..272/33 R PrimaryExaminer-L. W. Trapp Attorney-Glenn B. Morse 57 ABSTRACT A machine forstimulating circulation in the upper portion of a human body by theeffect of slow rotation on a horizontal axis through upright andinverted positions. A rotatable carrier includes a seat or standingsupport equipped with a retaining harness, and also includes apreferably pedal-operated drive system. A modified form of the inventionincludes a ring supported on parallel horizontal rollers. A driving beltsurrounds the ring, and holds it against the rollers. The ring has aninside diameter selected to receive an occupant in crouching position.

5 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 16 +912 INVENTOR. Chester l.Williams A TTORNE Y PATENTEUMAY 16 I972 SHEET 2 BF 4 Fig. 7

INVENTOR Chester Williams ATTORNEY PATENTEUMAY 16 m2 3. 662. 747

INVENTOR, Chester I. Williams Y A TTORNEY P'A'TE'N'TEDMAY 16 I972 SHEET4 0F 4 INVENTOR. Chgster l. Williams A TTORNEY CIRCULATION-STIMULATINGMACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is generally recognized that anumber of undesirable conditions in the head and neck can be correctedor improved by stimulating circulation in the affected area. Some of themany techniques developed under the general heading of physical therapyhave this as a primary objective. Congestion in the nasal and sinusareas, and occasionally around the ear structure, will frequentlyrespond to this form of treatment. The functioning of the brain itselfis highly responsive to the slightest interruptions or reductions incirculation, and this becomes particularly acute in cases involvingarteriosclerotic conditions. It is common experience of almost everyonethat spells of dizziness or other mental mis-functioning can frequentlybe relieved by lying down with the head somewhat lower than the rest ofthe body.

Attempts have been made in the past to develop devices capable ofcontrollably inverting the human body to reverse the usualhydraulicpressure differential between the heart and the brain. Most of thesedevices have required a degree of acrobatic ability to operate them, andare consequently out of the question for anyone not already in unusuallygood physical condition. An example of this type of device is thewell-known rolling hoop, in which a person is secured inside a ring byhis feet and his hands, with his arms in an upright position. Byswinging his body to and fro within this confinement, he is able toalter the placement of the center of gravity of the device with respectto its plane of support on the floor, and consequently is able to rollthe hoop back and forth on the floor of a gymnasium. This, and most oftheother machines involving body-inversion, are primarily exercisingdevices. These do not satisfy the need for a machine which willcontrollably invert the body without the exertion of any large amount ofphysical effort, or requiring any substantial degree of skill. Byeliminating the heavy physical effort, the circulation-stimulationbenefits become available to those persons who are not physicallycapable of indulging in the more active and strenuous body maneuvers.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION A machine embodying the preferred form of thepresent invention involves a carrier rotatably mounted on a horizontalaxis in a convenient form of fixed frame structure. The carrier isprovided with a seat or a standing support, and also a retaining harnessthat will hold the occupant in operating position in the machine. Apedal-operated power transfer system is arranged to induce acontrollable rotation of the carrier with its occupant at a very lowrate, and with minimal effort. The power transfer utilizes a chain driveextending from the pedal system to an assembly of gearing which includesa final gear in fixed position with respect to the frame. Operation ofthe pedals will therefore induce a movement of the carrier around thisgear. The final gear is secured to the same shaft that rotatablysupports the carrier. The shaft also provides a support for the harnessterminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thepreferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machine illustrated in FIG. 1 on aslightly enlarged scale, and from the opposite quarter, additionallyshowing an occupant in place in the machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view on an enlarged scale of one of the harness terminalsmounted on the central shaft of the machine.

FIG. 5 is a view of the machine in the position similar to FIG. 2, butwithout the presence of the occupant.

FIG. 6 is a view of the machine and occupant in the inverted position,through which the occupant can operate the machine in the course of acomplete revolution about the axis of the support shaft.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in FIG. 5, withthe harness equipment removed for clarity.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view on enlarged scale of the gear assembly ofthe power-transfer system.

FIG. 9 is a section through the gear assembly illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention, withthe harness equipment removed.

FIG. 1 l is a perspective view of a further modification of theinvention, utilizing a hand-operated drive system.

FIG. 12 is an end view of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a view of a further modification of the invention, involvinga stand-up position of the operator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The machine illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 9 has a frame 20 normally supported on a convenientfloor surface. The shaft 21 is fixed both axially and rotatablywith'respect to the frame. A carrier 22 includes a central plate 23(refer to FIG. 9) provided with a bearing sleeve 24. rotatably supportedon the shaft 21. A pair of parallel tubular members 25 and 26 are fixedwith respect to the central plate 23, and provide support for the beam27. The beam is adjustably secured to the tubes 25 and 26 by theclamping plates 28 and 29, which may be loosened to permit shifting ofthe beam 27 into a desired relationship with respect to the axis of theshaft 21. The clamping plates 28 and 29 are secured to the beam 27 byany convenient form of fastening, such as bolts or screws. The seat 30is mounted at one extremity of the beam 27 with a standard form ofbracket as shown at 31, which is of the usual construction found inbicycles. At the opposite end of the beam 27, the arm 32 provides asupport for the handle 33, and has a portion 34 for adjustablysupporting the counterbalance weight 35. A set screw 36 can be used tolock the adjusted position of the weight 35 in adesired relationshipwith respect to the axis of the shaft 21. This arrangement, or any othercounterbalance system, is an optional feature on the machine. The weightwill normally be adjusted to accommodate the physical characteristics ofthe operator of the machine. Variations in these characteristics willnot only include the total weight, but also the position of the centerof gravity. The placement of the counterbalance can therefore beutilized to minimize the effort involved in rotating the carrier aboutthe axis of the shaft 21.

The frame of the machine also includes the parallel rods or tubes 37 and38 interconnected by the cross members 39 and 40. The members 37 and 38are telescopically received within the tubes 25 and 26, and the relativeaxially interengagement of these members is determined by the bolt 41which traverses the cross member 39 and also the cross member 42interconnecting the tubes 25 and 26. A pair of nuts 4344 is disposed onopposite sides of the cross member 39, and the nuts 45-46 are in similarrelationship to the cross member 42. These nuts can be tightened on thebolt 41 to lock the telescope adjustment, and thus control the tensionon the drive chain 47.

A bearing 48 secured at the junction of the cross member 40 and the rod37 provides support for the rotating pedal assembly 49, which includes asprocket 50 interengaged with the chain 47. This chain is alsointerengaged with the sprocket 51 mounted on a shaft 52 supported in thebearing 53 carried by the central plate 23. The pinion gear 54 is meshedwith the fixed gear 55 secured to the shaft 21. With this arrangement,rotation of the pedal assembly 49 will move the pinion gear 54 in aplanetary fashion around the fixed gear 55, causing the carrier 22 torotate about the axis of the shaft 21. The effective mechanicaladvantage of the entire power-transfer system is selected so that aleisurely rate of pedaling will induce a rotation of something around 5revolutions per minute. The arrangement is at all times under thecontrol of the operator, who can halt his movement at any time, or limithis motion to a partially inverted position, followed by a return to theinitial upright position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Normally, the operatorwill continue pedaling so that the position will change from the FIG. 2position, through the FIG. 6 position, and on again to the FIG. 2position.

The occupant is held in engagement with the machine by the harnessequipment including the shoulder straps 56 and 57 extending from aterminal 58 near the seat, and over the shoulders of the occupant. Thesestraps are preferably crossed in front of the occupant, and areconnected to a terminal as indicated at 59 in FIG. 4 on either of thesleeves 60 or 61. The additional terminals 62 on the sleeves receive theopposite ends, respectively, of the belt 63. The belt and straps arepreferably of a material commonly used in conjunction with safety beltsand safety harnesses in automobiles. It is preferable to incorporate aquick-release buckle in both the shoulder straps and the belt tofacilitate mounting and dismounting from the machine. It is alsopreferable to incorporate pedal straps as shown at 65 and 66 in FIG. 2to hold the feet in engagement with the pedal unit 49. Since themovement of the occupant will proceed through positions in which hisweight will be brought against the member 67 secured to the centralplate 23, it is also preferable to provide a padding as shown at 68.This can be of usual foam-rubber material, and is preferably coveredwith some convenient material as shown at 69.

Referring to FIG. 10, a modified form of the invention utilizes a frame70 of identical construction to that previously described. The shaft 71supports a carrier frame 72 constructed of welded sections of tubingsecured to the central plate 73. The bearing 74 supports the pedalassembly 75 in a manner similar to the usual bicycle construction, andthe seat 76 is mounted also according to conventional practice. Thechain 77 functions to transfer power from the pedal unit 75 in themanner previously described. The handle 78 can be adjusted into anydesired relationship with the seat 76.

FIG. 11 illustrates another modification of the invention in which thecarrier generally indicated at 79 supports a seat 80 and a fixed footbar 81. The power transfer, in this modifica tion, includes a crank unit82 mounted on the carrier 79, and transferring power to the centralgearing by the chain 83. The frame 84 and the harness system 85 aresimilar to those previously described. FIG. 14 illustrates amodification related to FIG. 11, but supporting the occupant in standingposition. In the FIG. 14 modification, the seat and its associatedstructure are eliminated. In all the modifications thus far described, abraking device may be installed at any convenient point in the powertransfer system to generate a resistance to movement which willfacilitate mounting and dismounting.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a further modification of the inventioninvolving a ring 86 supported on the roller systems 87 and 88. The belt89 engages the pulley 90 ofthe gear motor 91 mounted on the frame 92,and also extends around the ring 86 to hold it in engagement with therollers 87 and 88. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 13, the driving belt89 is disposed between axially spaced sections of the rollers, as shownat 87a and 87b in FIG. 12. Since this modification of the invention ispower-operated, it is preferable to include a control switch as shown at93 mounted on the arm 94 of the frame in a position fairly close to theaxis of rotation of the ring 86. The inside diameter of the ring 86 isselected to receive an occupant in the crouching position shown in FIG.13. During a full revolution of the machine, the occupant will proceedthrough positions in which his weight is supported either by his feet,or with the assistance of armed forces transmitted through the handles95.

In all of these modifications, the beneficial effects of stimulatedcirculation in the head and neck are realized. It has been surprising toalso note a tendency to improve vision, and reduce tensions andcongestion in the area around the eyes. This may be due to resultssimilar to those produced by osteopathic techniques.

Iclaim: l l 1. A machine for stimulating circulation and related bodyfunctions, said machine comprising:

a frame;

a carrier rotatably mounted in said frame on a substantially horizontalaxis of rotation;

a seat mounted on said carrier, said seat being disposed eccentricallywith respect to said axis, and harness means securable with respect tosaid carrier to retain an occupant in said seat;

handle means secured to said frame; and

drive means adapted to induce rotation of said carrier with respect tosaid frame, said drive means including pedal means and alsopower-transfer means operably associating said pedal means and a memberfixed with respect to said frame, said handle means and pedal meansbeing disposed on the opposite side of a common plane through said axisfrom said seat, whereby the legs and arms of an occupant of said seattend to counterbalance the central portion ofthe body of said occupant.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a fixedshaft coaxial with said axis, and said member is a gear secured to saidshaft.

3. A machine for stimulating circulation and related body functions,said machine comprising:

a frame having a horizontal shaft;

a carrier rotatably mounted on said shaft;

a seat mounted on said carrier, and harness means securable with respectto said carrier to retain an occupant in said seat, said harness meansincluding belt-terminal sleeves mounted on said shaft on opposite sidesof said frame for rotation with respect to said frame, said sleeveshaving at least one belt-receiving tab secured thereto; and

drive means adapted to induce rotation of said carrier with respect tosaid frame.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier has a sectioncarrying said pedal means, said section being extendible and retractablewith respect to the remainder of said carrier, and wherein said drivemeans includes an endless chain extending to and from a sprocketassociated with said pedal means.

5. A machine for stimulating circulation and related body functions,said machine comprising:

a frame;

roller means mounted on said frame on parallel horizontal axes ofrotation;

a ring supported on said roller means, said ring having an insidediameter selected to admit an occupant in crouching position; and

drive means for rotating said ring, said drive means including a motormounted in said frame and also a belt extending around said ring andtending to hold said ring against said roller means.

1. A machine for stimulating circulation and related body functions,said machine comprising: a frame; a carrier rotatably mounted in saidframe on a substantially horizontal axis of rotation; a seat mounted onsaid carrier, said seat being disposed eccentrically with respect tosaid axis, and harness means securable with respect to said carrier toretain an occupant in said seat; handle means secured to said frame; anddrive means adapted to induce rotation of said carrier with respect tosaid frame, said drive means including pedal means and alsopower-transfer means operably associating said pedal means and a memberfixed with respect to said frame, said handle means and pedal meansbeing disposed on the opposite side of a common plane through said axisfrom said seat, whereby the legs and arms of an occupant of said seattend to counterbalance the central portion of the body of said occupant.2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a fixedshaft coaxial with said axis, and said member is a gear secured to saidshaft.
 3. A machine for stimulating circulation and related bodyfunctions, said machine comprising: a frame having a horizontal shaft; acarrier rotatably mounted on said shaft; a seat mounted on said carrier,and harness means securable with respect to said carrier to retain anoccupant in said seat, said harness means including belt-terminalsleeves mounted on said shaft on opposite sides of said frame forrotation with respect to said frame, said sleeves having at least onebelt-receiving tab secured thereto; and drive means adapted to inducerotation of said carrier with respect to said frame.
 4. A machine asdefined in claim 1, wherein said carrier has a section carrying saidpedal means, said section being extendible and retractable with respectto the remainder of said carrier, and wherein said drive means includesan endless chain extending to and from a sprocket associated with saidpedal means.
 5. A machine for stimulating circulation and related bodyfunctions, said machine comprising: a frame; roller means mounted onsaid frame on parallel horizontal axes of rotation; a ring supported onsaid roller means, said ring having an inside diameter selected to admitan occupant in crouching position; and drive means for rotating saidring, said drive means including a motor mounted in said frame and alsoa belt extending around said ring and tending to hold said ring againstsaid roller means.